sasuhina- flyaway 11

PART 11

Sasuke’s eyes widened, partly at what he said, and at what she had said. But he did nothing to deny himself, and just pulled Kana into his arms. Her ice cold skin felt familiar to him, and when he drew back a little to get a look at her, he saw something that made his heart leap. It was the look a bird has when some of its chains have been removed. She looked, for the first time, truly happy. Her soft gentle smile warmed him, and he leaned in toward her. He took in her long black lashes, and moonlit eyes. She made him feel strong.

Kana was surprised when she felt his warm breath mingling with her own. But the feeling within her, that light free feeling of a small burden being lifted, made her joyful. She found herself staring into black beautiful eyes, and a pale face. And she found the one holding her say, “Stay by my side. Don’t fly away.” But she also found a wetness slide down her face.

XXXXXXX

The next morning, Kana found herself unable to tear her eyes away from the window. In a way she was excited, now knowing what love was, being with Sasuke, but she couldn’t help but feel a stirring sinister feeling curling, awakening unsettling thoughts.

Sasuke suddenly appeared beside her, his chin on her shoulder, and his smiling voice whispering, “Good morning.” He lifted his chin to let her turn around to face him, and for a moment he thought he saw something flash in her eyes, but then it was quickly replaced by a warm smile. “Good morning. Sleep well?”

He smiled back at her and pulled her into his arms, saying, “Yes, thanks to you.” He nuzzled his face into the curve of her neck, and she smiled. She reached out a hand out and stroke his face, trying to remember every feature: the high cheekbones, curved nose, thin mouth. Sasuke released her. “Orochimaru wants us for another assassination mission,” he said lowly. He spoke as if he hadn’t touched her at all, as if last night had never happened.

Kana nodded, “Then let’s go.” She too spoke in the same way. Perhaps it was their way of humor.

XXXXXXXX

Black. That was the only color Kana would ever wear. She always wore black, not even gray or white. Black, as if she was mourning and lost. Maybe because it was easier to assassinate in black. Speeding through the forests in daylight, she and Sasuke were a blur among the green tree leaves, and blue sky. Their target: a clan leader. The clan leader had refused to cooperate with Orochimaru and had threatened to go to the Hokage. So of course, he had to be eliminated. The thing was…his clan was heard to be very powerful, so they had to kill him in his sleep. But on the bright side, Sasuke had begun to hesitate less when assassinating, and he did the many of the kills now.

Kana let out a low inaudible sigh, and felt Sasuke’s reassuring presence beside her. Her hand longed to reach out and touch his angelic face, but something forced her to not. Fear. But then, why was she being so afraid? What was she being so afraid of? Certainly not love…right?

Tall black trees loomed over the speeding assassins, and once or twice they sensed unfamiliar presence. However, the presences were just those of foolish travelers, foolish enough to travel at night. They pushed themselves to go even faster, since they could sense precious time slipping fast. Orochimaru had stressed how important this assassination was, being that it would weaken that clan, weakening Konoha of course.

The gate of Konoha towered over them, and they easily slipped behind the guarding nin. Passing the buildings and shops, Sasuke struggled to force down his past memories here. Especially when they passed the destroyed Uchiha Manor, he closed his eyes tight, following Kana’s footsteps and presence. Kana, however, looked around in wonder, feeling as if everything was all too familiar. She felt as if she had seen that ramen shop called Ichiraku’s, and the flower shop, and well…everything.

They came to a large white building that seemed extremely wide and space-taking. Kanji was carved on a board that hung over the main entrance. But with great ease and grace, they leaped over the white walls of the mansion. Soundlessly, they crossed the courtyard, and from the memorized map in their heads, snuck to their target’s room.

Suddenly, Sasuke froze. Kana tilted her head in confusion at the sudden stop in her companion’s movement. In a low careful whisper, Sasuke said, “The map…it isn’t right…” Kana’s eyes opened wide. She listened as he continued, “Orochimaru said that none of his spies had ever been in this place, so this was just a ‘theoretic map’.” His teeth grinded together in annoyance at his sensei and he made up his mind quickly. “Let’s split up and find the room. We’ll meet back here in 10 minutes.” Kana nodded, wondering why she hardly spoke tonight. She usually felt plenty of energy, but this place seemed to drain her.

Her feet moved as if she knew the place so well. Kana remembered where the rooms were and what doors opened to what. Quietly and skillfully, she managed to prevent people from waking up. Slowly she sped past several doors, but then her legs wouldn’t move when she came before a certain one. I know this door!! With trembling hands, her fingers gripped the handle of the door, and slid it to the side. Her eyes widened, and she knew this room was once her own. Nothing had changed at all. Everything was in the same place.

Shakily, she strode over to the bed, and slowly swept a hand over the soft familiar blanket. On the table were picture frames, and she saw herself in them. Her fingertips smoothed over the creases in the curtains, and her eyes observed everything around her. Something in her mind was turning, begging to be freed. She wanted to let it out, but she didn’t know how.

Suddenly a palm laced with chakra flashed out at her from behind, and she spun and knocked the hand aside with her wrist. Through the darkness, she could see a foot extend toward her head, so she sidestepped, and tried to throw a palm in return to her attacker. This guy…he fights the same way as I do! Swiftly, she swung a kick at his legs, making him lose balance and hit the floor. In a flurry of attacks, she had his arms and legs immobilized. Now for the finishing blow… Kana drew both of her katanas and was about to sink it into her opponents chest when she found her staring into her own eyes.

Then a voice she knew all too well, cried, “Hinata-sama!”